The Power of Distraction

I have been struggling to write this blog post for days. Why? Because there are too many distractions! In fact, I’ve lost count of all the distractions that have interrupted the completion of this one blog post. It’s made me realize the power of distraction in my life.

Unfortunately,I don’t think it’s just me. I’m convinced we all struggle with distractions. In fact, right now your mind fights to even focus on this short introduction. Am I right? I’m going to challenge you today to do two things: 

1. Admit you are distracted…a lot!
2. Read to the end of my blog post. Why? Because we have things to do, and I want to help you.

As my oldest grandson would say, “Ready. Set. Go! Go!”

Riding the Distraction Wave

Distraction could be my middle name.

I wish I had the power of focus and could keep my brain from going down rabbit trails and noticing every little object, person, or fleeting thought or sound. I wish I didn’t identify so much with Dory, the friendliest fish in the ocean (watch Finding Nemo movie if you’re not familiar with who Dory is).

While her acclaimed short-term memory loss is her excuse for constant distractions, I can’t say that’s mine. I just have a lot going on in my brain. All. The. Time. Random thoughts zoom in and out flying all around. They capture me and take me on crazy rides. 

To top it off, God has given me the curiosity of learning, which can send me surfing waves faster than you can blink. Before I know it, I’m long past the original thought and deep into the ocean of words and ideas that maybe have absolutely nothing to do with my original curiosity.

While I recognize my tendency of riding the distraction wave, I’ve also realized I need to manage this ride because if I don’t, I’ll be drug out to the middle of the ocean. I’ve learned it’s not easy to swim back to shore or even find shore from the middle of the ocean. And, I’m not a good swimmer, so there’s that.

Focus Does Not Come Easily

I’m fascinated by people who can just sit down and immediately focus and then focus for hours nonstop. It’s mindboggling to me how they don’t even notice other things or people around them. 

I’m NOT that person. If you’re familiar with the Enneagram, I definitely identify with the Enthusiast 7 personality. One of the strongest traits of us Sevens is that focusing does not come easily.

I’ve accepted this distinct personality trait of mine. It’s brought me a lot of great ideas, insights, creativity, learning, and fun. It’s also wasted a lot of my time. 

The Power of Distraction

The power of distraction is real. It’s a constant battle for me to stay focused.

You might be wondering how I get anything done. I’m glad you’re curious because what I’ve had to learn the hard way, I plan to share with you. I practice some techniques to help me focus.

When I finally focus, I’m usually highly successful in accomplishing a task or a goal. My master’s degree is evidence of one of my completed long-term goals. This completed blog post is evidence that I fought the power of distraction, and I won by the way.

Devil and Distraction

Did you know one of the most powerful strategies the Devil uses on us is distraction? 

He distracts us to lure us away from what our minds should be focusing on, who we should be focusing on, and how we should be focusing to get things done. 

Distraction is a form of temptation. We need to recognize it for what it is. 

The Devil is a master at disguise, and distraction is one of his favorite disguises. He plans to do whatever he can to keep us from focusing on what Jesus wants us to focus on.

Staying focused is what God wants, but we need His light to help us focus. The good news is His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105). 

The bad news is the Devil is sly. He pretends to be as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). If we aren’t careful, we get lured by his mirage and off we go into the abyss of distraction like Dory, “Look! A shiny light!”

I’ve been there many times, friend, so I know the power of the optical illusion.

Ignore Life’s Distractions

Recently, I purchased The Passion Translation (TPT) of the Bible. I love how this translation tells us in plain language how to handle distractions:

Set your gaze on the path before you.
With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead,
ignore life’s distractions. 
Watch where you’re going!
Stick to the path of truth,
and the road will be safe and smooth before you.
Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment
or take the detour that leads to darkness.

~Proverbs 4:25-27

Ignore life’s distractions! Doesn’t get any clearer than that.

And we are to keep our eyes fixed on the path that God wants us on. He even provides the light for us. But our enemy is constantly distracting us with imitation light.

Here’s been my question to God: How do I ignore life’s distractions? Seriously, Lord, how? 

He tends to ask questions as answers. And He doesn’t mess around either. He just cuts to the chase. “Michelle, what kinds of things are sidetracking you for a moment or maybe even for hours?”

Friend, God already knows my answers, but He likes it when I provide them anyway because when I admit where I’m struggling, He can help me.

See if you can relate to any of my distractions.

• Social Media
• Technology of all kinds (cell phones, computers, iPads)
• Online shopping
• Watching Netflix, Amazon Prime, or any other TV channel
• Hobbies
• Relationship problems
• People

Okay, this list could continue, but you get the point.

Our Minds are a Battle Ground

How do we ignore these distractions? How do we not allow ourselves to get sidetracked?

We need to take our minds back. We need to capture them.  

Romans 12:2 (NIV) says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Friend, I just got distracted by the word pattern. Why? Because according to my daughter Rachel, I mispronounce this simple word. Now, every time I see the word, read the word, say the word, or hear the word, I stop. Rewind and test myself to see if she’s right. She is! Ugh!

Okay, back to my point. Our minds are the battle ground. The constant battle for our attention is fierce. Here’s the good news. We can fight back, recapture our minds, and train our brain to focus. 

Two-part Challenge

Are you still with me? Remember my two-part challenge? Admit you get distracted, and read to the end of my blog post.

We need to learn what distracts us personally. For example, what kinds of things have you been thinking about while reading my blog post?

Seriously, I’m curious. If I’m right, you are struggling right here, right now.

Our Enemy seems to be winning the battle over our minds by distracting us. If he knows we are prone to distraction, he will continue to wreak havoc in our thinking and doing. This is why it’s important to acknowledge this about ourselves. 

Seven Tips to Help Us Focus

While I know I may struggle more than some because of my God-given personality, I still need to take my mind captive so that I can focus. Here are just a few tips I’ve learned and incorporated into my life to capture my mind’s attention to focus.

1. Pray for focus. We need to pray that the Lord would help us to focus and to keep us from distraction. I asked my friends in Bible study to pray for me to focus this week. When we admit we have a struggle, distraction’s grip lessens. Admitting we suffer from distraction is so important. We need a power more powerful than the power of distraction to set us free. His name is Jesus.
2. Set boundaries. For example, I created a 30-minute boundary to explore PowerPoint themes when I need to create a presentation. I enjoy exploring all the possible themes and colors, but I can get lost in the sea of choices. So, I set my alarm for 30 minutes and then just let myself have fun exploring all the possibilities. When the buzzer goes off, I must stop exploring and choose one. This strategy has worked for me for 10 years.
3. Set alarms. I set my alarm for many different activities, not just to wake up in the morning. Like in the previous example, I also set alarms for how long I can read, talk on the phone, and work on a project. I’ve made a commitment that when the alarm goes off I stop.
4. Write reminders. I used to intentionally call my mom on Monday nights on my way home from work.I placed a post-it note on my steering wheel Monday morning when I got to work. Then when my distracted brain got into my car after work, I read the post-it note, “Call Mom!” Simple. It helped me ignore life’s distractions and focus on my purpose: to talk with my mom.
5. Remove technology. This is a new practice for me. I’ve been removing my cell phone from the room I’m in because it’s so distracting. Facebook, Instagram, personal email, and the weather app easily lure me to check them. Before you know it, I’m lost in the sea of social media.
6. Reward yourself. Rewards can be powerfully motivating for me to focus. Because fun is one of my personal core values, my rewards have to be fun. When I have a task to do that I don’t enjoy, I risk embracing the power of distraction rather than the power of focus. So, I reward myself. Keep rewards simple like eat chocolate while doing the task.
7. Celebrate completion. When I complete something, I celebrate. I sometimes do a little dance by myself. Other times, I send a text to my family with fun GIFs. Or I may even whoop it up with others. Celebrations, like rewards, do not need to be big. They can be simple and fast. Celebrate when you capture your mind and focus on something to completion. 

I’ve had to take my mind captive many times just this week. To help me focus during times when the power of distraction tempts to lure me away from what I’m supposed to be doing, I activate my boundaries. I’ve had to do this a lot this week.

Guilty as Charged: Distraction Took Over

Writing this blog post is as much for me as it is for you. I’m guilty of being distracted by the wrong light, going off course, and not setting my alarms. Plus, I’m guilty of allowing all the distractions to keep me from accomplishing God’s purpose in my life. I’ve not ignored life’s distractions. It’s frustrating.

Even this last hour of editing I’ve had to deal with numerous distractions called text messages. I’m starting to think the Devil doesn’t want you to know about his distraction strategy. Well, I’m ready to send him back to you know where. I’m already two days past when I wanted to share this with you. 

Ready or not, this blog post is going live tonight! The power of distraction has slowed me down, but it will not conquer me. With fixed eyes, I’m moving straight ahead. God has a purpose in you reading this to the end.

Here’s why:  Jesus wants you take control of you mind again. Set boundaries. Put a stop to the things that are sidetracking you from doing what He’s called you to do. Ignore life’s distractions! Focus on Your Purpose!

Call to Action

Here’s one thing I’d like for you to do. Post a comment with one thing that is a distraction for you. I will pray for you.

Ready? Set? Go! Go!